Let’s be real—when it comes to growing your business, the bottom line isn’t just a number. It’s the heartbeat of how well your operation runs, the value you’re creating, and the resources you have to reinvest in growth. And if you’re looking at your EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) thinking, How can we push this up, fast?, you’re not alone.
Here’s the good news: boosting EBITDA doesn’t always require massive overhauls or long timelines. Small, intentional moves can lead to significant shifts, even within 30 days. Ready to roll? Let’s dive into five actionable strategies you can implement now.
1. Prioritize Your High-Margin Products or Services
Not all revenue is created equal. Take a hard look at your product or service mix. What generates the highest margins with the least complexity? Now, double down on selling those.
This could mean focusing your sales team’s efforts, adjusting marketing campaigns, or incentivizing clients to buy more of what you’re already great at delivering profitably. Scaling high-margin offerings is one of the fastest ways to see an EBITDA bump without adding extra resources or stress to your team.
2. Trim the “Hidden Waste” in Your Processes
Here’s the thing about waste: you won’t see it unless you look for it. Inefficient processes are the silent killers of EBITDA, and most of the time, it’s not about people slacking—it’s about unclear systems.
Pick one core process—onboarding, invoicing, project delivery, whatever feels messy—and map it out. Where are the bottlenecks, redundancies, or unnecessary steps? Eliminate or automate those, and you’ll not only save money but improve your team’s flow and output.
3. Renegotiate Vendor Contracts
Your vendors want your business as much as you want their services. That means you have leverage. Spend a day reviewing your biggest contracts—whether it’s software subscriptions, supply chain partners, or even your office lease.
Approach these conversations with data: highlight your loyalty, the volume of business you bring, or even competitor pricing. Even shaving 5% off your top three vendor expenses can drive meaningful savings straight to your bottom line.
4. Increase Cross-Selling to Current Clients
Your best prospects are the people already paying you. Why? They trust you. They see the value you bring. And most importantly, they’re already engaged with your business.
Get strategic about cross-selling or upselling. Can you package services, introduce add-ons, or offer a discount for bundling? Make it easy for your clients to say yes to spending more with you. This move not only increases revenue but does so without the cost of acquiring a new client.
5. Tighten Your Payment Terms
Cash flow issues can bleed into EBITDA if you’re not careful. One of the easiest ways to strengthen your financial position is by tightening your payment terms.
Review outstanding invoices and follow up aggressively. Then, consider shortening terms for future clients or offering small discounts for early payments. Improved cash flow means you can reinvest smarter and avoid costly credit or delays.
It’s All About the Small Wins
Here’s the takeaway: boosting EBITDA by 5 points in 30 days doesn’t require a Herculean effort. It requires focus. By prioritizing high-margin offerings, fixing messy processes, renegotiating contracts, cross-selling, and tightening up payment terms, you’ll see real results—fast.
Remember, small moves lead to big impacts when they’re targeted and intentional. If you’re ready to go even deeper on strategies like these, check out my free resources at www.hilarycorna.com. Let’s get to work.
Want to go even deeper?
Understanding and fixing process inefficiencies is one of the most impactful ways to drive growth and boost profitability. Download my free eBook, A Complete Guide on Identifying Problems in Your Processes, and learn how to:
- Understand the ongoing nature of operations and its impact on problem-solving.
- Learn to distinguish genuine problems from one-time issues with tools like Goods and Information Flow.
- Use the “Eight Wastes” framework to identify and address operational inefficiencies.
- Avoid common problem-solving mistakes with practical questions to pinpoint real issues.
Download the eBook now and take the next step toward scaling your business with confidence.
In your service,
Hilary Corna
